Journalists write "knowingly" on the situation in Israel without ever living here; without first hand knowledge of what it means to live in this tiny country in the midst of a rather unfriendly neighbourhood.
I write without vengeance, without hatred, just what I experience,the view from my veranda and the thoughts in my head.
My archive is available at www.lingomatics.com/Shabbatshalom/index.html

About Me

I am a freelance journalist living in Jerusalem. I strive to tell the truth as it is never seen in the media - the life of one Israeli trying to get along with everyone but not willing to deny her past nor her identity.

Friday, 28 October 2016

161028 Sadat-Begin, UNESCO, HH Pope Francis. Liberman

161028

28th
October 2016

Shabbat
Shalom dear friends. I hope this missive finds you well.

It is
38 years since the breathtaking moment when Anwar Sadat stepped off the
aeroplane at Ben Gurion Airport to meet with Menachem Begin. It was a
pivotal moment in Israel's existence and in Egypt's. Two men, two fighters, two
leaders who understood that they could not go on fighting; Anwar Sadat recognised
that the constant war was ensuring his country and his people could not raise
their heads from poverty and Menachem Begin, the former panther was ready to
meet anyone who wanted peace. Menachem Begins words "No more war, no more
bloodshed. Peace unto you. Shalom, Salaam, forever" heralded a genuine
peace with the largest and most dangerous enemy of the time. It faded on the
day that Sadat was assassinated but apart from the cold peace has basically
been maintained and General Al Sisi is fighting alongside us to beat the terror
of ISIS.

The
Nobel Prize Ceremony
for the two warriors for peace brought forth these worlds from the Nobel
Director

"The award of the Prize to the President
of Egypt, Anwar al-Sadat, and the Prime Minister of Israel, Menachem Begin, is
moreover historical in the wider sense, in that we only know of one previous
peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. This, as Israeli scholars have
revealed, took place some 3,000 years ago; it was the peace concluded between
King David's son, wise King Solomon, and the Egyptian Pharaoh."

Perhaps
the fools of UNESCO should read those words since they clearly do not believe
in the words of the Bible.

There
are occasional moments of sweet revenge when one has mean thoughts about those
who use Israel as their expression of their racist leanings. It happened twice
this week. The papers were plastered with the financial problems of Roger
Waters – him of Pink Floyd? The one who "had no education" oh you
remember, Pink Floyd's The Wall? Anyway his entire career for the last several
years is based on promoting the BDS movement which has, thank Heaven, resulted
in his financial ruin! Oh gosh that felt good!

The
second, even more odious person is Jenny Tonge. She was a member of the Liberal
Democrats but always on the fringe and very openly racist against Israel. The
LibDems shoved her upwards into the House of Lords thinking it would shut her
up, but no, she continued even with the title of Baroness Tonge. This week she
really went too far, ensuring an invited audience in a meeting room in the
House she spat venom on Israel in a manner unbecoming – and was thrown out of
the Liberal Democratic Party – even though she tried to convince the media that
she had resigned. Ah such a sweet moment.

Neither
of these foul racists will disappear but their platform became very, very
small.

Israel's
much maligned Defence Minister, Avigdor Liberman, gave an interview to
the Palestinian newspaper Al Quds this week. His plan of the exchange of land
between the PA and Israel to accommodate the relevant peoples; increase of
supplies to Gaza; determination to initiate more direct negotiations between
the military came as a surprise to the West but the Arabs believe in him. He
has emerged as a pragmatist who they trust. I am not surprised. We have heard
him speak at many functions and international occasions and his words are not
far right as the media likes to portray him, he simply does not speak with
forked tongue. This article explains it all. http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/israel-why-minister-liberman-offered-hamas-a-sea-port.html

His
Holiness Pope Francis
is a rare Christian leader – indeed a rare leader. After a short meeting with Ayoub
Kara, Druze Deputy Minister in the
Knesset, His Holiness declared that G-d had promised the land of Israel to the
Jews. It may seem obvious to us, indeed to anyone who reads the Bible, but yet
again this fine man and exceptional leader has spoken out about the fact that
to deny the right of Jews to be in this land is pure racism. Minister kara
believes it was a clear statement to UNESCO.

This
week has been difficult. I think I told you that the Yuri Shtern Holistic
Center had been burgled and when the ******s tore the safe from the wall
they took most of the ticket money raised for a performance of the Batsheva
Dance Company on November 1st. I have spent most of the week writing
to friends and companies to try to recoup the funds lost because this unique
organisation provides holistic care, touch therapies, psychology and nso much
more to Cancer Patients and their families, in Shaare Zedek Hospital and in the
humble clinic. If you feel able to give something toward their loss of funds
please, please http://www.israelgives.org/amuta/580475085
Just say Sheila sent you!!! By the way, thank you dear Sari Singer. Thank you
for your prompt action.

Last
night Zvi and I went to a truly magnificent concert at the Jerusalem Theatre. Two
choirs, the Jerusalem Oratorio and Laudamus Te Stuttgart together with the
Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. We received an invitation from Dassy and Yair
Stern (Yair the son of Avrham Yair Stern of the Irgun) is the CEO of the
Symphony. He told us the Mendlessohn programme was outstanding and he was
right!!!

Last
Shabbat we had a large number of friends to sit in our Succah. A diverse group,
I love watching new interactions. Since I was still sick and on anti-biotics
each of the guests brought something toward the meal; salads and desserts so
that I really didn't have to work hard. We were 17 people and the weather was
absolutely delightful

I have
to run because I am collecting the children from school to take them home to
the incredible aromas of freshly baked Challot and Rachel's full range of
delicious food. I have little cooking to do today except a huge pot of pea
soup! The pea soup is in honour of Gili's graduation from her Chumash class in
school. Gili loves pea soup!!! We are going to Leor and Shiri tonight and Gili
is their beautiful middle daughter, so I can hardly wait for her delighted
smile when she sees what soup Safta Sheila made!!!

Tomorrow
our beautiful friend Dr Kimball Taylor is coming to stay for 5 days, all the
way from Cardston, Alberta in Canada. Kim is officially here for the Jewish
Agency Board meetings, but really it is because he cannot be away from
Jerusalem for long……. And he wants to see us! As an early riser he will thrill
to the sunrise over Jerusalem that I see every morning; the fiery red skies in
contrast to the aurora borealis greens that he has at home. I love sharing the
view from our veranda.

Stanley,
yesterday I planted all my spring bulbs! Zvi schlepped the soil upstairs and I
did the creative part!!!!

Oh I
forgot to tell you…… yesterday it rained; at least in Jerusalem we had high
winds and it kinda spat a bit, in Eilat they are flooded! Over 100 mms of rain
in one evening!!!!

My
favourite service in Judaism is the Havdalah – the service, at home, that
separates between the Holy Shabbat and the humdrum life of the week. We
reawaken all our senses, with a candle for sight and warmth on the skin, the
wine to taste, fragrant herbs and spices to awaken the sense of smell and the
sound of beautiful prayer of thanks to hear. This is a gorgeous version of
Havdalah with the Chief Chazan (Cantor) of the IDF Shai Abrahamson….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdKVK2ryBUQ

Remember
that for every Roger Waters there are 100 great stars who can't wait to perform
in Israel. Beyonce is next month, Air Supply too, The stranglers, Ricky Martin,
Dire Straits and a whole slew were here last month……… as Robert DeNiro would
say Forgetabahtit!

I know
I have given you "Brothers in Arms" written by Mark Knopfler for the
IDF, but I love it and cry each time! Anyway I was in the UK for the Dire
Straits concerts in Israel!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTXiBGLloV4

OK I
just found this video by Yaacov Schwekey and I couldn't resist giving it to
you. "We Are a Miracle" so that every time you get depressed by the ignoramuses'
who yet again want us gone from the face of the earth - you can play this song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmyKFLQDHns

Shabbat
Shalom dear friends. Remember, it is a New Year, a new start, the chance to
make everyone around you feel good and…………….. ensure that you speak out, and if
necessary, shout out about injustices.

Zvi and
I will speaking out in Southern Florida for the last week of January and the
first two weeks of February. If you want us to speak at your synagogue or
fundraiser – just tell me and I will check it out.